[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 176 (Wednesday, November 19, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2254-E2255]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING THE LIFE OF JOE MENDOZA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LYNN C. WOOLSEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 19, 2008

  Ms. WOOLSEY. Madam Speaker, I rise with a heavy heart today to honor 
my friend Joe Mendoza, who passed away on October 25, 2008, at the age 
of 90. There are so many things to be said about Joe--a rancher, a 
community leader, and a family man who was held in high esteem by all 
who knew him. I can think of no better tribute than these remarks 
delivered at his memorial service by his long-time friend, Joseph 
Schoeningh:
  Point Reyes is a unique geographical area on our beautiful coastline. 
It was there 90 years ago this past July that Joseph H. Mendoza, a 
truly unique man, was born. It was also there this past Saturday that 
he died.
  Joe Mendoza (Papa Joe to many of us) was a loving husband, father, 
grandfather, great-grandfather and uncle. He was a caring friend and 
neighbor, a very successful businessman, dairyman and rancher, a true 
outdoorsman, avid hunter and fisherman. As a husband, he deeply loved, 
honored and cherished his ``Mrs. Scotty'' for 67 wonderful years. They 
worked as a synchronized team to build their ranching business, 
becoming highly successful. Recognized by his peers for his success, 
Joe became President of the Challenge Cream and Butter Association, 
served on the board of Directors of the National Milk Association, and 
also was one of the original board members of the Golden Gate National 
Recreation Area.
  As a father, he was very proud of his three children. He could be a 
tough and stern taskmaster at times, but he always wanted them to learn 
and grow from his methods and example. Son Jim shared about the time 
when the manure system was broken and they cleaned out the pump, then 
Joe put his foot over the outlet and told his young son to turn on the 
pump. This was a ``hands on'' manure shower lesson for both men . . . 
bet Scotty was thrilled about their entry to ``her'' always spotless 
house. . . .
  Son Joe remembers the time that he and fellow young men were entered 
as an adult ensemble into a parade, riding horses. Their Lions Club 
dads stuffed the kids' shirts to make them look bigger and the boys 
brought home a trophy. On the way home the proud fathers decided to 
stop at the Western in Point Reyes Station. The same proud fathers 
proceeded to ride those horses into the bar.
  Young Joe watched as the horses and men partied in the bar and a 
passing driver almost got in a wreck as she drove by seeing a horse 
exit the bar. We wonder did this lay the groundwork for Joe Junior's 
future.
  Joe passed on his acumen as a business and community leader to his 
family. Daughter Sharon put her accounting education to work taking a 
part-time job when she was raising her family. She did books for Joe, 
Scotty and the family dairy businesses. Really this was their way to 
connect and Sharon was able to learn from her ``hero''. Sharon and Joe 
enjoyed talking business, talking cows and strategizing financial and 
political plans.
  As a grandfather, the stories are numerous and wonderful. He had a 
manner of connecting with young people and no matter what their age, he 
stayed connected. Joe combined his love of Grandchildren and other 
pastimes at various locations from ``the cabin'' to his Duck Hunting 
Club at Grizzly Island. Granddaughter Teresa recalls their tradition 
that went on for ages when she accompanied Joe and Scotty to the Duck 
Club. Before any other task, when they arrived, Joe and Teresa would 
get into the boat and ``cruise the Hawaiian Islands''--they were on the 
lookout for hula girls in that Fairfield swamp and saw many great 
performances as they checked on the water level and duck population. As 
a great grandfather of nine, he just burst with pride as he watched 
this latest generation sprout up and found a way to ``connect'' with 
each of them as well.
  There was a special place in his heart for nephews Marvin and George 
Nunes whom he mentored in both businesses and life after the untimely 
death of their father in the early '50s.
  As a hunter/gatherer, he was the organizer and leader of countless 
outings in pursuit of deer, ducks, doves and pheasant. Joe looked 
forward to every season with a new excitement and occupied most 
mornings calling up friends to set up their plans. He especially looked 
forward to the annual bird hunting trip to Mexico at the beginning of 
each year and was so fortunate to travel there only 6 months ago.
  As a fisherman who knew the ocean around him, he brought home a wide 
array of fish, abalone, crab and oysters . . . Granddaughter Karen 
recalls a fateful day when their catch numbered 33 salmon and 1 
halibut. Joe was in the company of Karen and her friend Kristy Skeen . 
. . he would describe them as ``2 Tomatas''. Of course all was good 
until the end of the day when the ladies retired to the kitchen of the 
Scotty-Joe to play cards and Joe was left on deck to clean all those 
fish. Of course, he graciously took on the task, never interrupting 
their game.
  As a good friend and neighbor Joe Mendoza was a mainstay of the 
``point'' ranches. Neighbors became friends and they were like their 
own family watching out for one another during crisis or time of need.
  Joe was very proud, yet a very humble man, a man of much foresight 
and practicality. One good piece of advice he gave to many of us goes 
like this . . .
  ``If you do all of the talking, then they know everything you know 
and you don't know what they know.''
  He was also very practical about avoiding the ``eye of a storm''. 
Once he and I, at the end of a great holiday party at the cabin, 
decided to take a small boat across Tomales Bay to the Marshall Tavern 
for a final ``nite cap''. When Mrs. Scotty discovered that we were 
missing and so was the boat, she correctly surmised where we were. As 
Joe and I were enjoying our final nite cap the bartender

[[Page E2255]]

hollered out, ``there is a very persistent woman on the phone who wants 
to talk to a JOE right now and she really means it''. Joe Mendoza 
calmly looked at me and said ``That call is for you!'' I took the phone 
and guess whose ear Mrs. Scotty burned to a crisp!
  Joe and Scotty helped to organize the ``world famous'' Western 
Weekend in Point Reyes Station that continues to this day with a 
wonderful 2 block long parade that circled through town at least twice 
so that it would last longer than 10 minutes.
  Joe had a great sense of humor and he loved a good story or a funny 
incident and when he really laughed he had a special little kick that 
just naturally happened. When you saw that extra little body language, 
you knew he was really enjoying himself.
  Joe loved to dance and he was very good at it. So to his delight many 
Tomatas including daughter, granddaughters and great-granddaughters 
took turns sharing him with his very favorite Tomata and dance partner, 
his beloved ``Scotty''.
  My last thoughts today are of Joe and Scotty arm in arm dancing to 
one of their favorite country songs, being sung by Pam Nadale, a local 
country artist who passed on some time ago. The song in which I have 
changed just one word is ``Waltz Across Texas''. It goes like this . . 
.

     When we dance together my worlds in disguise

     It's a fairyland tale that's come true

     When you look at me with those stars in your eyes

     I could waltz across heaven with you

     Waltz across heaven with you in my arms

     Waltz across heaven with you

     Like a storybook ending I'm lost in your charms

     and I could waltz across heaven with you

     Waltz across heaven. . . .

                          ____________________